Jewish Renewal
Conversion requirements
Brit Milah/Hatafat Dam Brit: Required (Supervision is not required.)
Mikveh: Required (Natural mikveh – A permissible body of water in Ontario or Quebec, Canada)
Bet Din: Required (Rabbis and/or lay Jews)
Conversion Location: Ottawa, Canada
Students Accepted: Mitzvah, Chai
Conversion requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic
Brit Milah/Hatafat Dam Brit: Required (Local authorities’ supervision is required.)
Mikveh: Required (Local immersion with attestation from an approved witness is acceptable.)
Bet din: Required (Virtual bet din via video conferencing is acceptable.)
I am happy to work with
Families: If you have a child or children, I do not require that they convert to Judaism, but I do ask that they participate in Jewish rituals and celebrations, so they can come to know the joys of Jewish life.
LGBTQ+ candidates: I work with and welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Interfaith or dual-faith relationships: I request a conversation by phone or video conference with you, your other-than-Jewish spouse or partner, and any children you may have to discuss your conversion to Judaism and your shared vision of a household where Judaism may flourish.
Personal statement
Congratulations on your decision to learn more about Judaism and work toward conversion! I realize what a momentous step this is for you. Should you choose to work with me, I look forward to hearing all about what led you to walk this sacred path and your vision for the future.
I am a teaching rabbi, university lecturer, and researcher in religion and the humanities, and a former Scholar-in-Residence at OneShul. I am also a professional writer, editor, and public speaker. In my free time, I am an amateur astronomer and can often be found stargazing on clear summer nights. My path to the rabbinate (smicha or ordination) was inspired by my ongoing career as a religious studies lecturer, as I also wanted to connect and work with interested students on both the intellectual and emotional levels as a rabbinic teacher and mentor.
My approach to teaching is best described as eclectic and trans-denominational , or based on ideas located across the spectrum of Jewish denominations. Many of the concepts I focus on are found in the Jewish Renewal movement as well as Earth-based Judaism (Jewish practice centered upon the cycles of nature and time). I seek students who are looking for individualized attention as they explore the curriculum and who want to dive deep into the richness of Jewish knowledge with their rabbi as a guide.
Education
The Rabbinical Academy / Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk
Smicha (Rabbinical ordination)
Concordia University
Doctor of Philosophy, Religion/Religion and Science
McGill University in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Master of Arts, Religious Studies
